SageTracey

I started enjoying it more as it became easier, especially dancing. It's a great workout and even more fun when I can move more easily around the dance floor. As time passes I have also started enjoying my morning walks and long bike rides. Lately I have been craving (strange choice of word but describes how I feel) swimming so I have just bought a new suit and am heading off to the pool tomorrow morning.

Every week! I choose chicken or fish with vegetables plus some rice. My husband and I usually share a main and rice with me eating about 1/4 and him polishing off the rest. I do notice that it is obviously salty as I can be very thirsty afterwards - so never the night before my weigh in.

That's a real challenge for you - maybe look on it as training for living in the real world as a banded person. There will always be temptations around us. Most times people won't even really notice if we just say no thanks to whatever they are eating or offering. We had cake for morning tea at work this morning to Celebrate a big win. I just said no thanks when offered and no one even cared or commented. I'm really fortunate to have an incredibly supportive husband, right from initial considerations of getting banded. He even raised it with me, although he didn't know at the time that my GP had also suggested that I look into it. Just keep on making the right choices for you and let him see the benefits. Hopefully he will come around! And if not, you'll always get support (and sometimes some tough love!) on these forums.

Shopping in normal clothes shops. Dancing all night. Hearing my husband ask me to slow down when we are out walking or cycling. And after just six months I have enjoyed them all. Keep your eye on your dreams and your NSV goals will all come to pass.

Congratulations on starting your investigations. It is a step in the right direction. I have been banded for six months and have lost 100lb. The band is not a quick and easy fix. You must be prepared to make a significant lifestyle change if you want it to work for you. That means making informed, healthy food choices (and I eat a lot more than salad!), incorporating exercise, and understanding how the band works so that you can work it to achieve success. Right now I have been sick for over a week and my exercise has been cut right back to walking and stationery bike. I am going mentally nuts about not being able to get out on the road on my bicycle, so I guess that is a good sign that I have been able to incorporate exercise as a major part of my lifestyle! I am no band angel. I have fallen off the wagon at times but every time someone tells me how much better I am looking, I find the power to get back on. Good luck with your investigations. I would suggest that you start talking with your dr as soon as possible because it seems that Americans have to jump through a lot of hoops to get insurance approval so you should get that process underway. That way you will be well informed and prepared for every possible, including not going ahead with WLS.

Ditto.

Being tested right now. Results on Wednesday. I am constantly tired, can't get warm (which I just put down to having lost so much weight), but it is the lightheadedness that is really hard to take. I really hope they come up with an answer quickly so that I can start managing whatever is causing these symptoms. This was an interesting thread!

I have found it really helpful to log my calories. I use myfitnesspal.com Plus I invested in a set of kitchen scales, measuring cups and spoons to help me learn portion control. Six months post surgery and using all of these tools is second nature. My family are used to me eating much less than them now and are really supportive about not letting the crap get into the house in the first place! Good luck.

Your surgeon and his/her team should be providing you with all of this information, especially as different teams provide different guidelines. Ask questions! (Yes, you have asked here, but I am suggesting that your health professional is your best source for this sort of question.) And I am curious about the HCG diet. From what little I have heard it seems rather extreme and unproven. Has your surgeon recommended it or does he/she have another pre-op dietary requirement. Take care of your health.As you said, you can't afford to fail. Wishing you great success!

You'll need to get up and walk a little quite regularly. Listen to your body and don't overdo it too soon. A couple of minutes every hour can help.

I am suffering from light headedness that makes me feel as though I am going to faint. So far I haven't fainted but I have had times where I have had to sit or lie down. I suspect it is by blood pressure dropping too low but the last time I saw my dr about this my blood pressure was the same as normal. I am still on one tablet for BP. I am seeing my dr again tomorrow as I can't keep going like this. Apart from blood pressure, does anyone else have any ideas what could be going on? I would like to go into my dr appointment with as much information as possible. Thanks everyone.

Congratulations. Hope you are celebrAting with non-food reward. I've been lucky enough to have the weight fall off quite easily so far.I thought it had slowed down till I saw my GP this week who couldnt believe how much more I had lost and how well I was doing. keep up your grsat work and keep on enjoying those NSVs

The fill can irritate your stomach so you need to let things heal and settle down again Mostly precautionary but a day or two of liquids and mushy foods can also stimulate weight loss so just enjoy the benefits.

Hi Brandon, congratulations on getting started. You could just try increasing your incidental exercise in your early days. Walk a little and then a little further. Every extra step you can manage will get you closer to a point where yiu can undertake a more formal exercise program. good luck

My surgeon said I should take soluble multi Vitamins and my pharmacist said Berocca were the best so I take one a day. Looks like I may also end up on Iron supplements - just waiting on blood tests to find out if that is why I am so light headed and tired. Fortunately the Australian medical system means I can have these blood tests at no cost.

I have one son whose body type is like mine - easily prone to obesity. He is 24 and addressing his issues now because he has seen how out of control I got. My other son, 18, is blessed with his father's body type and he's a man who is still the same weight as when we married 27 years ago! I grew up in a poor household and my brothers and I learned to grab hold of food whenever it was available. I just didn't unlearn that behaviour when food became plentiful and it has taken me a very long time to understand that I don't have to eat it all now, that there will be some for later.

No, I didn't. Have you followed up with your dr?

Offer to cook a couple of meals on the days that you are not eating out. It's a great way to show your appreciation for their hospitality plus you have total control over what is being served.

so glad we are moving out of winter downunder! I have suffered terribly with the cold as I have lost weight - and we don't even get snow where I live! For the first time ever I am looking forward to summer!

I was surprised at how easy this one actually was because I always drank Pepsi Max or Diet Coke with meals. Now I drink so much Water between meals that I don't notice not having any at meals. As a tip, when I am eating out, I just pour a glass of water to two-thirds full to stop people offering me a drink. It's still there at the end of the meal. The hardest part is not drinking half an hour before - I have to remember to stop sipping!

I eat three small meals plus a couple of snacks. Breakfast is two weetbix with boiled water (I can't tolerate milk in the morning), lunch is usually tuna and salad, dinner is typically chicken, fish or turkey plus vegetables. I also have a protein shake each day and try to eat at least one piece of fruit but that is something I have never been good at! I drink at least 8 glasses of water, two cups of coffee but definitely no fizzy drinks at all.

PS - Let me shout this out! YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE UNTIL YOU STOP TRYING! Clearly you have not stopped trying if you are still asking for help, so you are NOT A FAILURE>

Hi Nikki, that must be so frustrating for you. But as Kimmypoo says, are you following the rules. Be brutally honest with yourself and if you are certain that you are following all of the rules then you should probably speak with your medical team. I am sure that they have patients who have been through this before and they will be able to help you get your weight loss kick started. Good luck

Congratulations Jess. You have taken the hardest step of all - the first one. You're on your way again.

My surgeon recommended two weeks off and I couldn't have gone back much earlier. I'm a desk jockey.